Optimizing mifepristone levels for Cushing's patients

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for optimizing levels of mifepristone in a patient suffering from Cushing's syndrome. The method comprises the steps of treating the patient with seven or more daily doses of mifepristone over a period of seven or more days; testing the serum levels of the patient to determine whether the blood levels of mifepristone are greater than 1631 ng/mL; and adjusting the daily dose of the patient to achieve mifepristone blood levels greater than 1631 ng/mL.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for improving efficacy of mifepristone treatment in a patient suffering from Cushing's syndrome, the method comprising:
 treating the patient with seven or more daily doses of mifepristone over a period of seven or more days; 
 testing the serum levels of the patient to determine whether the blood levels of mifepristone are greater than 1631 ng/mL; and 
 adjusting the daily dose of the patient to achieve mifepristone blood levels greater than 1631 ng/mL, 
 with the proviso that the patient is not already suffering from a condition indicated for treatment with mifepristone, thereby improving the efficacy of mifepristone treatment for the patient suffering from Cushing's syndrome. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the seven or more daily doses of mifepristone are administered orally. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the daily dose is at least 300 mg. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the daily dose is at least 600 mg. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the daily dose is at least 900 mg. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the daily dose is at least 1200 mg. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the patient is treated with 28 or more daily doses over a period of 28 or more days. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the testing is performed by a plasma sampling collection device suitable for detecting mifepristone serum levels. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting step comprises increasing the daily dose of the patient to achieve mifepristone blood levels greater than 1631 ng/mL.